1. Promoting Careers in International Shipping Tony Mason, Secretary General International Shipping Federation IMO, 17 November 2008

2. IMO action most necessary IMO leadership to attract seafarers most welcome Next ISF/BIMCO manpower study 2010 Vital for employers to retain long term perspective on recruitment

3. Promotion of Careers International level (IMO, EU, international industry associations) National Level (national shipowners’ associations, maritime careers organisations, maritime ‘clusters’, governments and unions) Individual shipping companies

4. International information provision Round Table Shippingfacts website Maritime Industry Foundation BIMCO Seascapes (children’s material) ICS DVD film ‘Lifeblood of World Trade’ dubbed in French, Spanish, Greek, Chinese, Japanese and Arabic ISF Careers-at-Sea website

5. Maritime careers promotion Main focus is through national maritime careers organisations (including ISF member shipowners’ associations) National bodies work with local schools, curriculum authorities, colleges and careers services, in combination with individual shipping companies

6. Focus: positive aspects of a career in shipping

7. But…there are negatives Piracy Criminalisation Obstacles to shore leave Perception and reality of life at sea

8. Explaining careers at sea What is a ship? What is ‘merchant’ shipping? Exciting global career Different specialties, but varied work Use of ‘high’ technology Leadership and management skills

9. Reasons to go to sea (1) Good wages, early responsibility and good long term prospects

10. Good wages Generous compared to shore Often tax free In developing world, seafarers are amongst very highest paid Rapid promotion to become captains and chief engineers (commonly in less than 10 years)

11. Career progression Early progression to senior grades - including, eventually, shore based executive management - commercial skills are gained Movement of goods and raw materials is big business. Career in shipping does not mean lifetime at sea

12. Doing something useful and enjoyable Reasons to go to sea (2)

13. Some useful selling points Environmental management role Training often funded Opportunities to travel Generous leave Internationally recognised qualifications Flexibility and job security A special ‘international club’…

14. And… Something different to working in an office!

15. Thank you Some useful websites: www.shippingfacts.com www.maritimefoundation.com www.marisec.org/film www.careers-at-sea.org